Respite Care Guide: Options, Costs and Help for Caregivers

Respite care is short-term support that gives a family caregiver time away while the person receiving care continues to have supervision or assistance. It may be arranged at home, through an adult day program, or as a short stay in a residential setting. The right option depends on the person’s needs, local availability, cost, and program rules.

Last reviewed for links and public-program guidance: August 2026.

Understand respite care options

Start with what respite care is and how families use it. When comparing arrangements, consider the care recipient’s routines, mobility, communication, medication support, accessibility needs, and comfort with a new setting. Ask each provider which services are included and which needs require a different level of care.

Plan for costs, coverage and eligibility

Coverage, eligibility, approved providers, and hour limits vary by program, plan, and location. Use our overviews of common ways families pay for respite care and why respite-hour limits differ as starting points, then confirm current terms with the program or plan that would pay for the service.

• Medicare’s hospice coverage guidance explains when short-term inpatient respite can be included in the hospice benefit.
• Medicaid’s home- and community-based services overview describes state-run programs; services and eligibility differ by state.

Before scheduling care, ask for written information about rates, minimum hours, cancellation fees, funding approval, and any out-of-pocket amount. A provider, benefits counselor, insurer, hospice team, or state Medicaid office can confirm rules for an individual situation.

Compare respite providers

Describe the care recipient’s needs clearly and ask how the provider handles staff training, background checks, medication-related tasks, emergencies, backup coverage, transportation, accessibility, and communication with the family. Arrange an introductory visit when possible and make sure the provider has current contacts, routines, and an emergency plan.

The ARCH National Respite Locator Service offers state and local starting points for finding respite services. A directory listing is not a substitute for checking a provider’s qualifications, policies, availability, and fit.

More caregiver support

Browse the Caregiver Relief resource center for planning tools and practical support. If you want help sorting through caregiving priorities, learn about caregiver coaching.